New Delhi, Jan 1 (IANS): Vinod K. Yadav, General Manager of South Central Railway (SCR), on Tuesday took charge of his new responsibility as Chairman, Railway Board.

He was appointed the Chairman on Monday.

After assuming charge, Yadav told reporters: "Indian Railways will continue to focus on safety and passenger amenities. Infrastructure development will be high on priority."

Yadav succeeds Ashwani Lohani, who retired on Monday.

Lohani took to Facebook saying "he was overwhelmed by the love and affection of officers and staff".

"My tenure as the head honcho of the railways has been immensely satisfying and that makes me grateful to the entire team of more than 1.3 million men that together make this organization great. To them I bow my head in love and respect," Lohani said.

According to Railway Ministry officials, Yadav, an electrical engineer, belongs to the 1980 batch of the Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers (IRSEE).

He served two years at South Central Railway (SCR), from January 2017.

Yadav commenced his career in Indian Railways as Assistant Electrical Engineer in February 1982 and held several important executive and managerial positions including as Additional Divisional Railway Manager (Operation), Delhi Division, Northern Railway; Divisional Railway Manager, Lucknow Division, North Eastern Railway and Chief Electrical Engineer, Planning/Traction Distribution, Northern Railway.